​Musician. Entrepreneur. Professor. Author. Motivational Speaker. Marcus Johnson is the consummate dreamer-doer.  He believes that investing in the community and in one’s self is the best way to solve some of life’s most pressing questions: Why are we here? What is our purpose?  In answering these questions for himself, Marcus has successfully navigated the realms of music, business, education, and entrepreneurship.

 

Marcus spent his undergraduate years at Howard University and went on to earn his JD/MBA degree from Georgetown University.  As a graduate student, he partnered with Black Entertainment Television (BET) founder and entrepreneur Robert L. Johnson to start Marimelj Entertainment Group.  This entity later became Three Keys Music, an independent record label that produced over 25 albums by several internationally-known artists.  As a musician and independent artist, Marcus has released 18 studio albums (seven of which have appeared on Billboard’s Top 10 Contemporary Jazz chart), garnered an NAACP Image Award nomination for Jazz Album of the Year, and has toured the world, performing at various music festivals and venues both domestic and abroad, including shows in Paris, Ghana, St. Lucia, and Bermuda.

 

An entrepreneur, Marcus is CEO and Founder of FLO (For the Love of) Brands, which houses his most recent venture, FLO Wine, LLC, and has enabled him to combine his passion for music with his love of good wine.  USA Today recently included FLO Wine on its list of Top 10 Celebrity Wines. As a result of his business pursuits, Marcus was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2004 and currently serves as the Entrepreneur in Residence with the Greater Washington Urban League.  As of January 2017, he joined the adjunct faculty at Howard University to teach Entertainment Industry and Entrepreneurship. His class is designed to teach students how to project, market, and sell, their Intellectual property, while exploring the changing model of the music business. He has also had the opportunity to teach on business-related topics at Georgetown University's Center for Professional Development, Bowie State University, and Elmira College.  Marcus is also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. 

 

His successes and failures have made him an insightful and dynamic motivational speaker/lecturer that engages audiences around the country at venues, including the Microsoft Small Business Weekly Conference, the AARP Life Reimagined Conference, AARP From Passion to Profit, the EPA,  Cornell School of Business, American University, Copyright Alliance, Black MBA Association, and Harvard Law School.

 

Marcus’ first book titled For the Love Of... (Amazon Best Seller) was published nationally in March 2017 and dives deeper into these life lessons he has learned while working to make his dreams a reality.  The book quickly made the Amazon’s Best Seller’s List, making Marcus the “Top of his Game” in yet another market.  He has created a formula for success in the music, wine, and lifestyle industries and For the Love Of… is a collection of essays discussing strategies that helped him cope with the highs and lows of his journey.  Readers are given the tools to help discover their purpose, pursue their passion, stay the course, and not be innocent bystanders in their own lives.  

 

Whether teaching in a university classroom, at a speaking engagement, or from his “keyboard pulpit” in music venues around the world, Marcus Johnson motivates, inspires, and empowers his audiences.  He has spoken on several topics, including entrepreneurship, the music industry, spirituality, and community, while also customizing his message to resonate with any audience.  Marcus’ talks are relevant and engaging and always include tips for real world application. Regardless of the topic, the underlying message is the same. In his own words:

 

“I am committed to using my talents to help artists and others create and protect the rights in their passion. Furthermore, my goal is to use my “keyboard pulpit” to spread the word about faith and the fact that all things are possible through dreaming, planning, executing, listening, and learning.”

 

Please visit www.flobrands.com and www.reverbnation.com/marcusjohnsonmusic for a more complete picture of this creative and inspiring performer, artist, businessman, and author.

​